Phyllis Loughmiller

Phyllis Loughmiller was a woman of kindness and generosity, constantly caring for others and putting the needs of those around her as her first priority. As an educator, wife, sister, and aunt, she made her way through the world with an admirable grace, always seeking to better the world around her through the connections she made with other people. Phyllis's story began on the 14th of January in 1923, as Prohibition was in full effect and Americans continued to recover from World War I. It was on this day that, in Hart, Michigan, Joseph Wieber and Helen (Hale) Wieber celebrated the birth of their first child, a daughter they named Phyllis. Her father was a farmer and her mother a homemaker, showing her the value of family. She was the oldest of three children, followed by her sister Lorena and her youngest brother, Francis (Frank). She had an enjoyable childhood helping out on the family farm, and often picked cherries at local orchards for extra spending money. Since she was a young girl, Phyllis knew that she would one day become a teacher. She even made it into a childhood game, setting up rocks in front of her that would serve as desks so she could pretend to be teaching a class of students. Once she graduated from Hart High School in 1941, she furthered her education at Oceana County Normal School, leading into the beginning of a long and rewarding teaching career. During her first years of teaching, Phyllis taught at many different small schools in the area. Just as her profession in teaching began to thrive, so did her personal life. Phyllis met Orville "Joe" Loughmiller while he was home on leave from the armed services. Although he had to go overseas to fight in World War II, they kept in touch by writing letters back and forth, beginning a long romance that would last their whole lives. When Joe came home in a full body cast as a result of war injuries, the two reconnected as Phyllis's warm heart seemed to be just what he needed to recover. The couple was married on June 7, 1947, and went on their honeymoon in a car that was lent to them by Phyllis's brother. Phyllis and Joe settled in to the Muskegon area, eventually settling in Muskegon Heights. While Phyllis found work at Fruitport Schools, Joe began working for the city of Muskegon Heights. Phyllis taught the third grade in nearby Fruitport, and was passionate about educating young children in order to better the community. Teaching was more than a job, it was her life. She even kept an album of each of her classes, complete with a photograph of each student and notes on their personal achievements. As the years went by, she saved newspaper clippings on her former students, always interested in what kind of accomplishments they were making since they left her classroom. Not only did Phyllis love to teach, but she never lost her love of learning, either. During summers, she would ride the bus to Kalamazoo to attend Western Michigan University until she earned her Bachelor's Degree in 1957. Phyllis was always finding new and better ways to do what she loved, keeping in mind that she was taking part in the raising of many generations. She was voted as Outstanding Elementary Teacher of the Year in 1973, an accomplishment she was so proud of. It is no surprise that her students loved her, often going back to visit the teacher who made such an impact on their lives. All children loved her, though. Even the neighborhood kids loved to stop by to read books with her. She was also very close to her family, and would send out updates to everyone when a wedding or birth took place. She cared deeply for each one of her nieces and nephews, and hand-painted a China baby bootie for each one of them as they were born. Keeping up with family genealogy, Phyllis would always update the family tree and was always the one to coordinate the annual family reunion on the Wieber side. Phyllis was always finding ways to enrich her life as well as the lives of others. Even with so many things keeping her life busy, she still found time to skillfully put together each one of her outfits, always classy and in fashion. Her aesthetic qualities didn't end there, though. She was a talented painter, and made beautifully hand-painted China plates. When she had a spare moment, Phyllis enjoyed playing on women's bowling leagues as well as playing golf with her friends. It was the simple things that kept Phyllis happy, things like compassion, kindness, and a willingness to reach out to others. Phyllis and Joe were extremely hard workers, but always spent their money doing charitable things for other people. Constantly seeing that others had what they needed, the couple enjoyed volunteering their time and funds to assist those who were less fortunate. Phyllis and Joe were also active members of the Fruitport VFW, and regularly volunteered to run fundraiser breakfasts. As members at Sacred Heart Catholic church, everyone who knew Phyllis and Joe were moved by their selflessness. Phyllis was also attended Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. Phyllis retired from teaching after 37 years, and she and Joe moved into a new house at Norton Shores. They enjoyed some traveling and vacationing together, attending Joe's Army reunions and visiting family. Whenever a member of the family made it into the newspaper, Phyllis was the first one to cut it out and keep it, always taking such pride in her family. As Joe's health began to decline, Phyllis took great care of him and was a devoted and dependable wife. Joe sadly died in 2005, and Phyllis did her best to remain optimistic, knowing he was in a better place. Phyllis began to show signs of Alzheimer's disease, and eventually moved into assisted living. Her nieces and nephews were able to do for her what she had done for them when they were younger, and were constantly visiting her and taking good care of her. Phyllis was a favorite resident where she lived, and remained true to her teaching expertise even into her later years. She even declared herself the hall monitor at one point, and always made sure that everyone knew where they were going. Her body eventually began to weaken, and Phyllis sadly died on April 27, 2008. Phyllis reached out to so many people and was able to change the lives of many. Her eagerness to share her knowledge with each person she encountered had an immense impact on both her family and her community. She leaves a legacy of kindness and compassion, and has taught us the value of simple generosity. She will be deeply missed. Phyllis is survived by her brother Francis (Jewel) Wieber of Hart, Mi, her sister Lorena VandenHeuvel also of Hart, MI, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Orville (Joe) Loughmiller in 2005. Visitation will take place on Thursday from 6-8pm with a Rosary Service at 8pm at Clock Life Story Funeral Home in Muskegon. Service will take place Friday, May 2, 2008, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church with Father Michael Olson officiating. Interment at Hart Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.